Red_Skydiver

Quote> I don't think every place on the planet is getting warmer; one of the reasons 'global warming' is a misnomer. It wouldn't make things warmer for us; a warmer sea would mean more clouds, which would mean cooler temperatures overall (and more rain in places like Julian.) reply] you are right, the term global warming is misleading, it should be referred to as climate change as northern europe for instance could freeze over if the climate changes. You are also right about clouds reflecting radiation however we don't know how much cloud cover would increase or the type of clouds that would occur in any given area. In addition cloud cover at night actually contributes to increasing the thermal radiation budget - clouds at night insulate the earth making it warmer. This is one area meteorologists do not fully understand and therefore cannot predict.

Over the past 100 years the average global temperature increased by 0.6 degrees C. Climate models (which I know may not be reliable) indicate an increase anywhere between 1.5 and 6 dergees C over the next 100 years. The general concensus within meteorological circles is an increase of 3 degrees C. Whichever way you look at it we are probably in for a huge increase!! Climate change occurs naturally (every 100,000 years and 20,000 years there are changes in the earths tilt and orbit). There is very stronge evidence however (though not proof) that the latest change is driven by human activity. Leaving causation aside for the moment (as I know it will cause disagreements) it looks like we are in for some serious climate change. Can nature/man adapt to such a rapid change in environment? In the long term (hundreds/thousands of years) I suppose it/we can but what about the short term and what affect will it have upon humans? Such a huge rise in temperature in a short time span will affect climate, which in turn will affect animals, insects, crops etc. Will we be able to adapt so rapidly? Will we be affected by crop failures due to droughts, floods, storms, temperature and humidity changes? Are we reacting too slowely to the threat of global climate change? There is much debate about alternative fuel sources but shouldn't we concentrate more on how our climate will actually change and investigate ways of coping with the change? E.g. will there be global food shortages due to sudden changes in climate and if so how the hell are we going to cope with that?

If you read these articles they do not contradict each other. They both agree 2005 was probably (barring errors) the warmest year since 1880 (Brit scientists) and since late 1800's (US scientists) - same thing isn't it?

Wendy W. Why use less water? Do you think we are going to run out? - We are running out of water in parts of the UK. Some areas have flood warnings and others have emergency drought orders..... it can (and does)happen!

It'll come to an end for some people!

-Jeffrey Besides, as I understand it, the U.K.'s monarchy is clearly NOT what makes the laws by which you live. (Or rather "UNDER which you live." Your nation seems very much to have the bootheel of the law on its throat.) -Jeffrey That's not quite correct. No statute law can be introduced in the UK without the approval of the monarch - If the House of Commons approves the introduction of a new law it then goes to the House of Lords for their approval and if they also approve it it then goes to the monarch. Only if the monarch approves it will it then become law. It does require the monarchs approval which is given 99.99% of the time but they do have the power to reject anything they do not like! Also the Queen meets with HER prime minister on a regular basis and no doubt has a lot of influence over matters. That's statute law, we also have common law which is different and the judges apply/interpret/evolve that.

buy local produce and you won't have to pay too much for transportation of the goods! Oh, great idea. Now, what grows locally in northern Illinois in January? Icicles, snowmen, piles of roadsalt... ice and salt....... use that to store your local meat and veg during the winter then!

How about increasing the price of gas but allowing a rebate for companies? That way the price of your goods doesn't have to increase. It's a big country. What you are suggesting is ridiculous. Ever wonder why we export so much food? I'm sorry but I don't see your point..... It's a huge country yes, but that doesn't prevent you from growing produce and buying and selling it locally. You can still export your goods too..... by the way I didn't propose increasing transport costs for food either..... what were you trying to say i your reply? Not so long ago we didn't import many of the products we have on the shelves today, much of the fresh fruit and veg was seasonal and we had to manage without certain items but you can get whatever you want whenever you want now..... nothing wrong with that at all ....but is there an environmental price to pay? I'm not saying we should only buy local produce but what sense is there in transporting goods half way around the world when we can grow them "locally"? I can buy orange juice from California or from Spain .....(I'm in the UK)..... doesn't it make sense to buy the "local" produce? Local produce has travelled less to get to me and therefore is less harmful to the environment, it suports my "local" community and is fresher... Perhaps we should rethink our agriculture and transport policies.... Next time you eat a meal look at the country of origin (or if in the states then the state of origin) and total the number of miles your meal has had to travel to get onto your plate. I think you'd be surprised....... 25 thousand miles or so?

I disagree with you. Success isn't frowned upon but boasting about how successful you are is frowned upon. Frowned upon by whom? The less successful? Everyone. Shout too loud about how great you are and you'll soon lose friends. Everyone likes success however, there is a difference.

Shithole? Where is that? Or are you referring to the rest of the world that isn't USA? If so then why refer to it like that? That aside, part of the reason we have high fuel prices over here is to help the environment. Personally I'd like to see less cars on the roads (or less journeys taken) to help combat this. Have you breathed/tasted the air in London recently?

How about increasing the price of gas but allowing a rebate for companies? That way the price of your goods doesn't have to increase.

buy local produce and you won't have to pay too much for transportation of the goods!

I disagree with you. Success isn't frowned upon but boasting about how successful you are is frowned upon.

Quoteif you don't realize that all of europe, including england, was bailed out by america during world war 2 then i can be of no help to you...history knowledge or otherwise. Quote I heard (from the BBC) that the brits and americans killed 200,000 germans during world war 2 and the russians killed 3 million germans. That kind of puts things into perspective a little. As far as the issue this thread was originally about (americans being ordered to not go into London) I believe it was an order given immediately after the bombing. Londoners were also told not to travel into central london unless it was necessary at that time also.

It hurts, that's why.

I didn't insult anyone? lol I just pointed out where the tampons were? sheesh people!! I have no problem with in your face Patriotism. I wish more people would do it. Nothing is wrong with the statement made on that bumper sticker and I whole heartedly agree with it. You don't have to like the fact that I agree. I just do. That's me :) Many more people agree as well they just don't have the balls to say it in this here forum. Because they loose sleep at night over what people think of them. I don't. So I proudly agree. If you think I am immature because of that it's o.k.. I don't mind.. Puppet strings every where... Rhino I don't think it was the fact you agreed with the statement on the bumper sticker that irritated people but it was the "STFU" comment that did it. Often it's not what is said but how it is said that people take offence at.....

Isn't that the very argument used by those pro guns in the usa?

I have one, she's 2 months old. How many would I recommend having?..... none! It's VERY hard work!!! I love her to bits but she's changed my life completely. I knew it would be hard and my life would change but didn't realise just how much until she arrived. She is gorgeous....... she is also a pain in the A

There is plenty of food supply for everyone the problem is a fair distribution of that food. Unfortunately those that have it (I'm talking about other resources too besides food) don't want to change their lifestyle to benefit someone in their own town never mind someone on the other side of the planet. If we can get a good balance of healthy diet and exercise there is no reason why we cannot enjoy life that little bit longer.

Crime is the justification given for gun confiscation. Confiscating guns has no effect upon crime. Got it? Have you compared gun crime rates prior to the confiscation to those after the confiscation (actually I thought it was more of an amnesty rather than a confiscation)? It's those figures that will have changed. Guns that are both legally and illegally held in the UK are generally not used as protection against crime (that would be illegal in itself) but are mainly used to commit crime. The amnesty was intended to destroy weapons (both legally and illegally held) to prevent them falling into the hands of criminals who may use them. As such this should have reduced the potential number of gun crimes committed. If just one life was saved because of the amnesty then surely it was worth it wasn't it?

Aviation fuel is bad for the environment.... anyone thought of giving up skydiving?

There was a programme on TV in the UK about this last week - it was very worrying!! A possible 10 degree increase in temperature this century would have catastrophic affects. This isn't something that will happen to future generations and we can ignore, we will see the affects (or is that effects?) in our lifetime or at least in our childrens lifetime. I think most people ignore the problem but we underestimate the effects it will have. Unfortunately we don't fully understand how we can change the situation and even if we did would people listen?

i bought a Sabre2 170 as my first canopy (loading 1.2), it needed breaking in!! The openings were FUN FUN FUN at first as the thing had a mind of it's own on opening and dragged me all over the sky -(I was learning to pack at the time though!). End cell closures occurred on every jump to begin with but these became less frequent in time. Nice soft openings each time and a beauty to fly and land. I would definately recommend it for an intermediate skydiver.

In the middle of a field in the middle of the day, we weren't seen I don't think. In a carpark (not in a car) in the middle of the day. Didn't get caught. In the same room as other people a few times - not sure if they knew or not........ suspect they didn't.... or if they did they didn't say anything On a campsite where the tents were packed really close together - does that count? On the back of a bus......lol.... forgot about that! That was also during the daytime... and downstairs!!!! There are probably other times too but I'd better not think too hard and should stop there..... Blimey - never thought I was such a randy bugger!!!

don't know him. Drag him along on the drinks night